Fatal stabbing of son nets murder charge

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) -- A man accused of fatally stabbing his 4-year-old son was formally charged with murder Friday, after police drove him to court from a hospital where he was being treated for knife wounds. Prosecutors also charged Katron Walker, 33, with attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill his 2-year-old son. A police cruiser took Walker close to the door of the courthouse after driving along a sidewalk. Walker was closely guarded as he was escorted the remaining 12 to 15 feet to the door and into Vigo County Superior Court 3. Police say Walker abducted his sons at knifepoint from the backyard of the boys' grandfather Tuesday morning. They issued an Amber Alert for the children later that day. Witnesses told police the father and sons spent several hours playing and fishing at a private, rural lake. That night, police officers found Walker's van near Dean's Lake, about 10 miles south of Terre Haute. As they scoured the area with search dogs, Walker ran from an abandoned trailer and jumped into the water, dragging his naked children with him, authorities said. Officers rescued 2-year-old Monte Walker. Divers later found the body of his 4-year-old brother, Collin, in 12 feet of water. An autopsy showed he was stabbed to death before he ended up in the water. Monte Walker, who also was stabbed and cut, was still recovering Friday at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Their father was treated for puncture wounds that police say were self-inflicted. Superior Court Judge David R. Bolk ordered that Walker be held in the county jail without bail. He asked Walker if he needed a public defender, but the Terre Haute man's response was inaudible. Bolk said he would appoint a public defender at a 10 a.m. Monday hearing.